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Resources and different contexts

Welcome to week 2 of Inspiring young people in STEM program.
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Welcome to Week 2. Now you are aware of the range of resources available for volunteering activities in STEM, you’ll now need to consider how to adapt resources to be inclusive of different backgrounds and contexts. By drawing upon the ideas of Science Capital you’ll be looking to make the practical activities relevant to the young people you work with, using aspects of their life they can identify with. An awareness of your own biases helps you to avoid making assumptions about the backgrounds and contexts of young people, so as you begin to adapt your resources, you are making more informed judgements.
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This week we are going to focus on extending your understanding of the different types of audience and what their needs might be. You will hear from educators about special educational needs, gender, and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Then, you will consider what the implications are for adapting resources and you will have a go at adapting your own chosen resources. We are looking forward to working with you in Week 2 and reading your comments and contributions.

Understanding your audience and any particular needs they have is key to developing effective practical STEM activities and choosing the most appropriate resources.

This week we will look at gender, special educational needs and disadvantaged young people. We will consider how these aspects might impact on the activities we choose, the resources we select and how we can adapt our approach to be as inclusive and effective as possible as volunteers.

In addition to looking at research in this field, we will also hear from practitioners, including teachers and STEM Ambassadors.

Mark complete

As a reminder, don’t forget to ‘Mark as complete’ by clicking the icon just below as you work through the course. This helps you keep track of your progress. With 90% of steps marked completed, you’ll be eligible for a certificate if you Upgrade.
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Volunteering in the Classroom: Adapting Resources for STEM Activities

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